Holguín: Texas Latinos Can’t Afford to Stay Silent—Town Halls Matter More Than Ever

During times when the cost of everything from groceries to housing feels like it’s skyrocketing, Latino voters in Texas are making one thing clear: they want elected leaders who understand their daily struggles and are willing to show up. 

That message rang loud at our recent McAllen town hall hosted by us, UnidosUS, along with LUPE Votes & VIDA with special guest, Congressman Joaquin Castro, and it’s echoed in a new national poll on how Latino voters are responding to President Donald Trump’s first 100 days back in office.

The 100 days poll, conducted in April 2025, reveals the top concerns for Latino voters in Texas: cost of living, jobs and wages, and affordable housing. These issues were front and center at the McAllen town hall, where Congressman Castro voiced concerns about deep federal budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration. Cuts that would slash education funding, scale back housing programs, and reduce support for healthcare and food assistance — precisely the lifelines many working-class families in South Texas depend on.

If your concerns are about the cost of living, then you should be concerned about cuts to programs that feed the hungry and provide healthcare for our most vulnerable. Even if you are not on Medicaid or SNAP (food assistance for low-income, elderly and disabled), cuts to those programs will directly raise your costs. For example, if a tio with no health insurance gets ill and waits till he is in dire condition, he’ll go to the ER for care. Hospitals cannot turn away patients – even if they cannot afford to pay. Where does that cost go? To everyone’s monthly insurance premiums and cost of healthcare services. Someone has to pay, right? That someone is you.

For a community that feels the squeeze of inflation and high rent or mortgages, Trump’s early policy moves are not going unnoticed. A full 6 out of 10 Latino voters in Texas say they don’t believe Trump is doing enough to lower the cost of everyday necessities. Over half say housing costs — including rent, mortgage rates, and utility bills — are among their most pressing economic concerns. These voters don’t need more rhetoric about government waste or immigration crackdowns. They want concrete solutions that make it possible to live, work, and raise a family with dignity.

And here’s the kicker: Texas Latino voters aren’t buying that either political party has it all figured out. While half still say Democrats would do a better job addressing cost-of-living issues, 17% believe neither party is doing enough, and President Trump’s disapproval rating among Texas Latinos stands at 61%.

This is why town halls in Latino communities aren’t just helpful — they’re essential. In-person forums like the one held by Congressman Castro offer residents a platform to voice concerns, ask questions, and demand accountability. They also offer elected officials reality checks on how policy decisions play out in real life. 

When working families are skipping meals or doubling up in cramped apartments to afford rent, budget cuts to housing and nutrition programs aren’t just abstract policy shifts — they’re threats the livelihood of families in our community.

Too often, Latino communities are spoken about in national debates but not spoken to. Town halls are a direct counter to that neglect. They remind voters that their voices matter. They remind politicians that they’re being watched – even when they refuse to show up to face their constituents.

As President Trump continues to push an agenda that includes deep cuts to safety net programs and unconstitutional immigration enforcement, the need for transparent, two-way dialogue is urgent. Latino voters in Texas are paying attention — and they expect their elected leaders to do the same.

Town halls, like the one in McAllen, should be a regular occurrence. They are a critical tool for building trust, transparency, and a government that actually works for the people it serves.

Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by Eric Holguín, Texas State Director of UnidosUS. The column appears in the Rio Grande Guardian with the permission of the author. 

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